The 5 Best Post Op Cast Shoes

Post op cast shoes are a necessity whenever a professional athlete (such as a Basketball or Football player) or even just an everyday Joe suffers from a moderate-to-serious foot or ankle injury (such as a broken foot or ankle) that requires surgery.

After the successful completion of said surgery and/or fitting of the cast, the person must start using crutches and/or wearing post-operative cast boots/shoes (HealthyFeet).

These post-op surgical boots or 'walking cast shoes' as they are also called) come in various forms and functions, from rigid ones which can accommodate thick, heavy casts and are designed to completely immobilize the feet and legs, to those which only cradle the foot and offer some support and freedom of movement (BraceShop).

Whatever is the nature of the cast and the required cushioning, support, and freedom of movement as determined by the person’s Physical Therapist, there is a corresponding medical boot for it (ProfessionalFoot).

The Vive Post Operative shoe includes a 'rocker sole', which helps provide arch support while decreasing heel pressure. It works for both male and female shoes, coming in Small, Medium, Large and Extra-Large (for feet bigger than 12.5").

When it comes to choosing the size, you'll want to to factor in the size of your bandages or cast. The 3 velcro straps are adjustable to securely tether the boot into place. A squared toe region provides extra space. The shoe itself can be worn for either right or left feet.

Let’s take a look at 5 of the best orthopedic, cast boots/shoes on the market today and see how they compare and/or distinguish themselves from each other.

How To Wear a Cast Shoe

The Top 5 Post Op Shoes

The durable and sturdy, yet lightweight and comfortable, orthopedic Vive Post Op walking boot is a stiff but effective and expertly-designed post-operative walking cast shoe that features three extra-strong, adjustable Velcro straps and a Rocker Sole made of hypoallergenic foam, the combination of which is designed to alleviate post-operative swelling, cramping, and soreness around the heel and forefoot areas, while at the same time reducing pressure.

Its users love the fact that it can be used by both sexes, can accommodate thick bandages, socks, and/or moderately-thick casts, and also provides adequate arch support, not to mention ample space and protection around the toes, which are squared up front for more protection.

Available in Small (i.e., Men’s 5.5 to 7 and Women’s 6.5 to 8), Medium (Men’s 7.5 to 9 and Women’s 8.5 to 10), Large (Men’s 9.5 to 12 and Women’s 10.5 to 12) and X-Large (Men’s 12.5+) sizes, the black-colored Post-Operative Shoe by Vive is an inexpensive and lightweight alternative to those heavy and rigid high medical boots, especially for those of us who suffer from minor foot injuries (i.e., broken toes, dislocated ankles) but would like to still be able to move around our houses with a modicum of comfort.

User Feedback Regarding the Post Op Shoe by Vive

The first and foremost observation among the majority of the users of this Post-Operative Shoe by Vive is its light weight and comfortability to wear and move around, as opposed to those heavy and rigid full/high boots. In particular, they describe the sole and footbed as very comfortable, slightly-arched, and not so high/thick, which is important because it allows you to easily choose a pair of shoes with the appropriately-paired heel height to wear on your uninjured foot, thereby allowing you to keep your back in perfect alignment.

One satisfied user recovering from a broken toe mentioned that this walking cast shoe is ergonomically the perfect shoe for his Edema, as the ankle strap keeps his feet from slipping out and the forward latch strap is perfectly positioned.

Another satisfied customer medical boot buyer said that he had previously worn it when he had a burn on his foot and he could hardly walk, then later, when his giant breed dog broke her foot and no vet-applied splint alone would do the trick, he even had this product worn successfully by his dog, adding that the product cleans easily with Dawn Soap.

Still another owner chose the Vive Post Op Shoe over a CAM walking boot for his torn plantar plate because it was comfortable to wear even as it kept his foot from flexing as it would in a natural walk.

Some users took issue with the Velcro straps, saying they’re too long, they can be a tripping hazard, and that they fasten to a too-small fastener located at a very-difficult-to-access spot, but other customers said that the excess lengths of strap can be cut by a pair of scissors, and that one-inch lengths of the Velcros can actually be removed and re-attached to more strategic locations, thus further allowing you to customize the shoe’s fit.

The rugged-looking yet deceptively comfortable and lightweight Darco Body Armor medical boot is a sturdy, durable, and well-designed walking cast shoe that lives up to its “Body Armor” tag insofar as cast and/or bulky-bandages-and-socks protection is concerned. It features an EVA Unibody design that provides exceptional durability and protection against shocks, moisture, as well as everyday wear and tear, while at the same time looking handsomely rugged.

The orthopedic Darco Cast Shoe also boasts of the exclusive Bungee Closure System, a scheme that involves flap-like rubber straps and cords with grommet tighteners which, when taken altogether, actually offers a multitude of ways with which the shoe’s fit could be customized, thereby effectively securing most cast and bandage/sock setups inside the shoe.

Users of the walking boot proudly say that they get asked and/or complimented about its Crocs-like appearance, that aside from providing a lot of functionality, it also does so with a style that sets it apart from other post-operative medical boots. Another point of pride among owners of this Darco sandal is its huge built-in Toe Guard up front, which of course protects the wearer’s toes and prevents debris (i.e., small stones/pebbles, dust, etc.) and snow as well as mud from invading the toe area while also giving it its Crocs-like swagger.

This black-colored Darco Body Armor Cast walking boot, which can be had in a variety of sizes (i.e., X-Small 3 – 5 for Women; Small 5.5 – 8 for Women; Medium 8.5 – 10 for Women and 6 – 8 for Men; Large 10.5 – 13 for Women and 8.5 – 11 for Men; and X-Large 13.5+ for Women and 11.5 – 14 for Men) is a reasonably-priced and lightweight (not to mention stylish) substitute for cumbersome and inflexible full-length medical boots, especially if the user/wearer is only suffering from minor foot and/or lower-leg injuries (i.e., bruises/swelling/tenderness, mild tears) but would still like to move about town in comfort and style.

User Feedback Regarding the Darco Body Armor Cast sandals

Most users of the orthopedic, Darco Body Armor Cast Shoe immediately took note of its rubber-like material (but not like tire rubber), which they described as very resistant to shock. Several users also observed that it was water-resistant, which was great when used in wet or snowy environments (i.e., pavements, roads, and/or walkways).

One proud user with a broken toe also joked, by way of a compliment, that if Crocs made medical equipment, this Darco cast shoe would have been the result.

Another happy customer mentioned that he had foot surgery which afterwards necessitated him to walk on his heel, but luckily, this Darco shoe has an angled heel with a flat surface and molded cleat-like structures on its outer sole, which eased walking on his heel.

Yet another Darco Body Armor shoe owner recovering from a stress fracture heaped a lot of praise on the seemingly odor-proof characteristic of this shoe, saying that it doesn’t stink the same way as those open-toed, canvas/cloth, and/or Velcro’d cast shoes do.

A number of users complained about the lack of ability or difficulty to tightly fit one’s foot/cast, as well as the durability of the shoe (i.e., the grommets started popping off, etc.), but many other customers noted that these issues go hand-in-hand; i.e., if you choose the correct size and knew how to tighten the cords/strings by using Phillips screwdrivers, tying them in several loops, etc., then the tightening and durability issues would be resolved.

Pros

EVA Unibody Design provides unrivalled shock absorption, durability, and protection against the elements as well as everyday wear and tear

The flat-soled, open-toed, spartan-looking MABIS DMI Healthcare Mesh Post-Operative Cast Shoe is a lightweight and comfortable post-operative support shoe that makes use of a pair of strong, lengthy adjustable Velcro straps set up in a hook-and-loop configuration around the midfoot area, paired with a nylon mesh backing/wrapping material, padded insole and tongue, and lightweight but moderately-durable, soft foam-like synthetic material for its non-skid sole.

Designed to relieve post-operative pain when walking, it enhances your traction, both indoors and outdoors, keeps your cast and/or bandage(s) free of dirt and moisture, and provides some protection (from bumping into objects) for your foot, thereby providing you with some sense of comfort, confidence, and security as you go about your post-operative activities.

People who have tried the MABIS DMI Healthcare orthopedic Mesh Cast walking boot usually say that the first positive thing they noticed about the shoe is its light weight and comfortability, making it a safer substitute to the ordinary slippers and/or sandals that they would have used (at home and outside) had they not known about this shoe. Other positives for this shoe are its washability and breathability, both brought about by its nylon mesh material.

Perhaps owing to the relatively simple design of its solely Velcro-based tightening mechanism, the MABIS DMI Healthcare Mesh Post-Operative Cast Shoe got mixed reviews among its users. While a slight majority of this shoe still swore by its light weight and comfortability, a considerable number of naysayers point to the difficulty to customize its fit (i.e., to tighten its Velcros) being the shoe’s biggest drawback.

A number of owners, however, have countered that, as with most Velcro-based shoes, the trick is in experimenting to discover ways to tighten the Velcros, and in this light, one owner suggested that would-be users should try using various-sized safety pins to join some portions of the Velcros among themselves or to attach them to the nylon mesh material, as both are relatively soft and can be pinned to each other.

Another contented user similarly suggested sewing or stitching some parts of the Velcros together or sewing/stitching them to the nylon mesh material, to keep them in place and perhaps to maintain the tension of the Velcros.

An oft-mentioned beef against the MABIS DMI Healthcare Post-Op Shoe is the length of the Velcros, which contribute to the shoe being difficult to tighten, with some users suggesting the seemingly obvious solution of cutting off any excess lengths of Velcro with a pair of scissors. But another owner wisely suggested not to do so, because in the future, you might need all that length with a thicker cast and/or more layers of bandages. Again, the safety pin and/or sewing/stitching solutions seem to be the better alternatives.

Yet another commonly-aired knock against the MABIS DMI Healthcare Cast Shoe is that customers tend to order the wrong size, erring on the side of being too loose even as the length of the ordered shoe is right around their foot’s length. Again, it seems that the uncomplicated, “open” design of its exclusively Velcro-based tightening mechanism has a lot to do with this perceived issue, which can be resolved via experimenting with various-sized safety pins and sewing/stitching, along with perhaps other “undiscovered” methods.

Anyone who doesn’t have a knack for working with its exclusively Velcro-based tightening system will surely have a hard time customizing this shoe’s fit

Customers who are not “in the know” about this shoe would tend to mistakenly believe that they are too "loose" to properly fit, but it is actually because of the "open" design of its Velcro-based tightening mechanism

The flat-soled, open-toed and open-heeled, very rudimentary-looking Medline Cast Boot Rocker with Velcro is a post-operative support shoe that, as one user describes it, is one of those products that you might NEED, not want. Utilizing two hook-and-loop Velcro closures positioned over the top of the foot and a third one above the heel (right around the ankle) to provide a secure it, this shoe (which also makes use of a quality canvas duck upper for durability and a thick rocker sole made of lightweight EVA) provides some comfort and ventilation as well as some heel and toe pitch, but it looks ugly, but there’s a reason for that.

And it is that this Medline walking boot is designed for supporting a thick/huge foot cast or a heavily-bandaged foot, one which would not easily fit in a similarly-sized Vive Post Op Shoe, a Darco Body Armor Cast Shoe, or a MABIS DMI Healthcare Mesh Post-Op Cast Shoe. Hence, even as it doesn’t look good and so it does not earn a lot of positives said about it, it nevertheless does its job of providing a safe and secure fit, a modicum of comfort and ventilation, and some heel and toe pitch to promote a normal gait among some of us who happen to suffer the misfortune of being fitted with a huge/thick foot cast or some heavy bandaging, perhaps because there was a need to rigidly immobilize our foot or ankle.

The black-colored, unisex, Velcro’d Medline Cast Boot Rocker shoe comes in five sizes, namely: X-Small (which measures 7.4 inches long by 5.9 inches wide and 2.3 inches tall in dimension), Small (9.0 by 4.5 by 2.0 inches), Medium (10.5 by 5.0 by 2.0 inches), Large (12.0 by 5.375 by 1.0 inches), and X-Large (14.0 by 6.0 by 1.0 inches). For some perspective and/or reference points, the Small size is compatible with Women’s shoe sizes 5 – 7, while the Medium size is compatible with Men’s shoes size 9 – 10 and Women’s10 – 12. Overall, this shoe was not meant to win beauty and/or popularity contests and rake in some praise (as another user said, he’d be happy if he never needed it again for a stress fracture), but it does its intended job.

User Feedback Regarding the Medline Cast Boot Rocker with Velcro

As expected, there were not too many happy campers for the Medline Cast Boot Rocker with Velcro. The two best comments regarding this post-operative support shoe came from one user who remarked that it is one of those products that you might NEED, not want (meaning, you’d probably be forced to use this shoe out of necessity than desire); and another user who said that the product works as intended, but he would be happy if he’d never have to use it again. Clearly not very encouraging assessments, but as we said earlier, this Velcro’d Cast Boot Rocker by Medline was not meant to win beauty and/or popularity contests; nevertheless, it does its intended job.

Another would-be user curiously mentioned that he bought this Rocker with Velcro for cast boots for a different purpose, and that is to use it as a barrier for his would-be walking cast boot. He said he was unable to find a cover (for his would-be walking cast boot) that also covered the sole, and that he knew that companies do not want to manufacture such a cover (that features some material covering the sole) for walking cast boots because they are worried that they might be held liable if someone slips as falls.

But on the other hand, he thinks that it would just be too disgusting if he would have to clean off the sole of his boot after being outside, and that he wouldn’t want to track all that dirt, bacteria, and/or germs (as well as other stuff) from the outside back into his house, and so that’s why he was happy to find the Medline Cast Boot Rocker with Velcro. He remarked that precisely because of the way that the Velcro’d Cast Boot Rocker is constructed, he could probably customize its size to fit snugly over his walking cast boot.

He hasn’t actually “tested” everything yet (as he was still in his cast and on crutches), but he is quite confident that everything will work out just fine (and that he’d get his money’s worth), and so we just might have another owner of this post-op support shoe who has thought of another curious “usage” for this shoe.

On the negative side, a considerable number of users complained about the sizing and fit of this Velcro’d Cast Boot Rocker; that its size ran very small, and that it does not work well, that every step you take, it would slide from side to side, and when you’d step, it compresses the bottom of the boot and you’d slide all over, etc.

However, a female user curiously stated that she bought the small size, thinking that it was supposed to fit women’s sizes 5 to 7 (she usually wears a 6 or 6.5, but she said that she I wanted it to fit as close as possible), but, as it turned out, this was way too small. Anyway, to cut the long story short, her advice was for us to measure our injured foot from the middle of the back portion (i.e., the “ball” of our heel) to the middle of the front (i.e., our “middle” toe), and to then order a size that’s 2 shoe sizes larger than what we had measured.

Anyway, we’ll never know for sure, but maybe perhaps if only all of the previous users followed her advice, we’d probably be hearing less vitriol about this Medline Cast Boot Rocker than we are actually hearing…

Pros

Three hook-and-loop Velcro closures, two of which are positioned over the top of the foot and one above the heel (right around the ankle) provide a secure it

Quality canvas duck uppers improve its durability. The canvas material also makes it possible to use various-sized safety pins to further secure the Velcros to the uppers to achieve a better fit, OR to sew/stitch the Velcros to the uppers (again, to achieve a better fit)

Thick rocker sole made of lightweight EVA provides some comfort and ventilation as well as some heel and toe pitch

Promotes a normal gait among post-operative patients fitted with a huge/thick foot cast or some heavy bandaging

Cons

Anyone who doesn’t have a knack for working with its exclusively Velcro-based tightening system will surely have a hard time customizing this shoe’s fit

Customers who are not “in the know” about this shoe would tend to mistakenly believe that they are too "loose" to properly fit, but again it is actually because of the "open" design of its Velcro-based tightening mechanism

Customers who are also not “in the know” about this shoe would tend to order a size that is the same as the one that they usually wear; instead, they should measure their injured foot from the middle of the back portion (i.e., the "ball" of their heel) to the middle of the front (i.e., their "middle" toe), and to then order a size that’s 2 shoe sizes larger than what they had measured.

The DMI Rocker Bottom Cast Shoe Post-Op Shoe is very similar to the Medline Cast Boot Rocker with Velcro. It is also open-toed, open-heeled and flat-soled, at least on the inside. It would have been just as ugly-looking as the latter, save for its denim blue color, which at least makes it look better. The DMI Rocker Shoe also makes use of two Velcros positioned over the top of the foot and one above the heel to achieve a secure fit. Similarly, it utilizes heavy-duty canvas uppers and a thick, non-skid rocker sole made of lightweight synthetic material.

The more noticeable distinction between this DMI Rocker as against that of Medline’s is that the former (i.e., this shoe) has a more curved undersole, maybe because it was designed to provide a more “rocking” motion to the wearer’s foot, perhaps so that the injured part of the wearer’s foot (such as the heel or the toes) would be more protected because of the “rocking” motion. In other words, this curved undersole and its more “rocking” motion makes it easier for the wearer to either walk on his/her heel or to tiptoe on his/her toes, which would be needed after some soft-tissue procedures on the foot.

But just like the Medline walking boot, this shoe was also designed to support a heavily-bandaged foot or a thick/huge foot cast, both of which would again challenge a similarly-sized MABIS DMI Healthcare Mesh Post-Op Cast Shoe, a Darco Body Armor Cast Shoe, or a Vive Post Op Shoe. Thus, it also does its job of providing a sliver of comfort and ventilation, a safe and secure fit, and a little bit more heel and toe “pitch” than the Medline Rocker, again presumably to enable the wearer to either tiptoe on his/her toes or walk on his/her heel. But maybe, because of its denim blue color, this shoe just might earn a lot more positive reviews.

Unfortunately, this Velcro’d, unisex, one-shoe-fits-both-left-and-right-foot, denim blue-colored DMI Rocker Bottom Cast Shoe Post-Op Shoe comes in only three sizes, namely: Small (which presents a useable area of 8 inches long by 3.75 inches wide), Medium (9.5 by 4.0 inches), and Large (11.5 by 4.5 inches). Long story short, this shoe was meant to “do” its intended job, but at the same time, it just might win some popularity and/or beauty contests (and rake in some praise) after all…

User Feedback Regarding the DMI Rocker Bottom Cast Shoe Post-Op Shoe

Surprisingly, the DMI Rocker Bottom Cast Shoe Post-Op Shoe garnered a lot more positive reviews than the Medline Cast Boot Rocker with Velcro. Maybe it’s because of the denim blue (versus the latter’s black) color? Nope… It more has something to do with the correct “usage” of a cast shoe (such as this) as opposed to that of a cast boot (like Medline’s).

As one user of this product would simply put it, you have to ask yourself (and/or your doctors) to “analyze” your ability to walk first: do you (and/or your doctors) feel that, even with your half- or full-leg cast, you can still walk? Is your “injury” not that great enough to totally “immobilize” you?

Because if you (and/or your doctors) feel that you can still walk even with a half- or full-leg cast, then what you would need is a cast shoe with a more “rockered” sole, like this slightly-curved-bottom DMI Rocker Bottom Post-Op Cast Shoe. Its “rockered” bottom gives the effect of your whole leg moving in a smooth, rolling motion as you walk, resulting in a much more comfortable, smoother, and easier gait.

On the other hand, if you (and/or your doctors) feel that your injury is quite severe enough so much so that with your half- or full-leg cast, it would be very difficult to walk, then don’t choose this shoe; instead, you may choose a cast boot with a “flatter” bottom (like Medline’s), since you don’t intend to be very “mobile”, anyway…

So, with this “clarification”, it would seem that a lot of very “mobile” half- or full-leg casted patients tend to purchase the “wrong” shoe (i.e., the one with a “flatter” bottom), and then they give that shoe “critical” marks… Little do they know that with a flat-bottomed shoe, you walk with a clunk-clunk gait because you cannot flex your immobilized ankle to smooth your step, and so you would tend to land on your heel, and then plop forward onto the flat bottom of the shoe, and then rock forward on the tip of the cast.

Now if you happened to have a half-leg cast (i.e., from below the knee down), then a flat shoe would only put a lot more pressure on the shins and knees, even as you are struggling to have a smooth, natural gait.

So anyway, because of this “distinction” between a cast shoe with a slightly-curved-bottom (such as DMI’s Rocker) as opposed to that of a cast boot with a “flatter” bottom (like Medline’s), it should not come as a surprise why the DMI Rocker Bottom Post-Op Cast Shoe would tend to earn a lot more positive reviews than a cast boot with a “flatter” bottom.

Anyway, moving one, the DMI Rocker Shoe also scored high marks in terms of its durability. One very satisfied user said that he’s used this same cast shoe for several few years now, both with splints and casts. So far, he says the DMI Rocker works great, with no complaints at all…

Another very happy owner said that he does a lot of gardening, so his DMI Rocker Shoe absorbs a lot of heavy use, yet it doesn’t break down! His DMI medical boot even gets muddy, so he has to put them through his washing machine and to air-dry them, but so far, no “mishaps” to the DMI Rocker’s shape and/or construction!

On the negative side, more than one user has mentioned that the DMI Rocker Bottom Cast Shoe tends to be slippery because of its sole’s hard synthetic material, with another saying that it “gets a little slippery” in rain (but who in their “right” mind would walk with a cast and a cast shoe in rain?).

Anyway, a more obvious knock against the DMI Rocker is its few (i.e., only three) size options as well as its lack of sizing guidelines/information.

Pros

Three Velcros, two of which are positioned over the top of the foot and one above the heel (right around the ankle) achieve a secure it

Heavy-duty canvas uppers enhance its durability. The canvas material likewise makes it possible to use various-sized safety pins to further attach the Velcros to the uppers in order to provide a better fit, OR to sew/stitch the Velcros to the uppers (again, in the interest of providing a better fit)

Thick and more curved non-skid rocker sole made of lightweight synthetic material provides some comfort and ventilation as well as a little bit more heel and toe pitch, presumably to enable the wearer to easily tiptoe on his/her toes or walk on his/her heel, a necessity after pedal soft-tissue procedures.

Hand-washable construction with cushioned insoles

Fits either foot; unisex styling

Cons

Anyone who doesn’t have a knack for working with its exclusively Velcro-based tightening system will surely have a hard time customizing this shoe’s fit

Customers who are not “in the know” about this shoe would tend to mistakenly believe that they are too "loose" to properly fit, but again it is actually because of the open-toed and open-heeled design of its Velcro-based tightening mechanism

What Are Buyers Saying?

Owing to their huge potential for better customization of fit and also to their good or quite-good "looks", I’d say it’s a toss-up between the Darco Body Armor Cast Shoe and The Post Op Shoe by Vive, as far as post-op supportive shoes for non-thick casted feet and/or slightly-bandaged feet go. But for thick casted and/or heavily-bandage feet, you can’t go wrong with the DMI Rocker Bottom Cast Shoe Post-Op Shoe.

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